I read an interesting article by David on deep mulch gardening
we do something similar (maybe even the same)...
around the homestead, especially with the banana and plantain trees
when the banana leaves go brown...
we chop them down and instead of just throwing them away...
let them fall around the plants
these leaves will act as mulch and then decompose over time into food for the soil
it a real time saver - don't have to take them up...
money saver - no need to buy mulch or fertilizer...
and it's organic, chemical-free compost that will naturally, without any help from us...
feed back into the plants their own nutrients
even the chickens love it
they kick around in and under the mulch...
and leave behind even more natural fertilizer
good work, chickies!
after a plant has done it's job in producing fruit...
the cut-up stalks of the banana plants get put around other fruit trees...
and eventually, they too, decompose into the soil
with banana plants, it happens quickly, because...
the stalks are actually made up of furled leaves and so are soft
we also leave the outer coconut shells and husks around the plants which give good mulch...
and they too, will decompose over time
it's a good way to keep the soil moist during drier seasons
as for grass and weed cuttings...
we will let dry and use some for such things as...
food garden mulch...
and hen boxes
I usually leave the dry cuttings in front of the boxes and the hens will take it and arrange it as they like
right, Penny girl?
"hurumph", seems to be her reply
this morning, I noticed the Starch mango tree was casting some ripe fruit to the ground
well, no need for those to go to waste
the chickens had already picked on a few, so I left those for them...
and took a bucket up to the cottage
the Starch mango is small, fitting quite nicely in the palm of the hand
but, it's packed with flowery flavor
I score and peel the skin back to see how pretty it looks...
and I just eat it from my hand
it's rather small to cut up and a little slippery, trying
this tiny mango has no strings to get in between the teeth...
so it's a delight to eat
I had two with my breakfast
my mussaenda plant by the front corner of the cottage needed a good trimming
the rains had pulled the heavy blooms to trail on the ground...
and was threatening to break off branches
so, I thought it was a good excuse to bring in a bunch of peach colored sepals...
and offer you a bouquet of loveliness to hopefully, brighten your day
Then the Lord God took the man,
and put him into the garden of Eden,
that he might dress it, and keep it.
Genesis 2:15
May your day or night be graced by the Lord.
